Tiger Beat Lushary

by Mel

This virtual bar is about to get a lot more crowded.

Working our way through the list of movies you suggested a few weeks ago, we showed the kids Back to the Future (we’re also currently watching the Sandlot and they love it). It was much shorter than I remembered it being. The night I saw it in the theater (with my family), it rained so hard that we had to pull over to the side of the road because there was no visibility. I remembered thinking it had been such a long movie; that it was so late.

What didn’t disappoint was the cuteness of Michael J. Fox. I had a big crush on him — even enduring Teen Wolf — and he was just as adorable as I remembered. I mean, yes, you still see him in People magazine from time to time, and he’s still cute, but I wondered if he’d look as cute as I remembered from childhood. And my G-d, that boy was cute. He was clip-out-the-picture-from-Tiger-Beat-and-put-it-in-your-locker cute.

Since this is a virtual bar, which means we can do anything we want to do, I wanted to invite you as you sit down to have a drink to bring along the cutest movie star/musician you remember from your childhood. Childhood is defined as any celebrity crush prior to age 18. Don’t worry if he or she is already here because someone else summoned them; just name them and they’ll join your table too.

Michael and I will be over here, serving drinks and riding our skateboards while holding onto the back of trucks.

Make sure after you summon your celebrity tablemate that you fill us in on what has happened in your life this past month.

It has been awhile since we met, bitched, cried, comforted, and caught up each other on our cycles and lives. Pull up a seat and I’ll pour you a drink. Let everyone know what is happening in your life. The good, the bad, the ugly. My only request is that if a story catches your eye, you follow it back to the person’s blog and start reading their posts. Give some love, give some support, or laugh with someone until your drink comes out of your nose.

I have a ton of assvice in my back pocket and as a virtual bartender, I will give it to you unless you specifically tell me that this is simply a vent and you do not want to receive anything more than a hug.

So if you have been a lurker for a while (or if this is your first open bar), sit down and tell us about yourself. Remember to provide a link or a way for people to continue reading your story (or if you don’t have a blog — gasp! — you can always leave an email address if you’re looking for advice or support. If not, people can leave messages for that person here in the comments section too). If you’re a regular at the bar, I’ll get out your engraved martini glass while you make yourself comfortable. And anyone new, welcome. I’m glad you found this virtual bar.

For those who have no clue what I’m talking about when I say that the bar is open, click here to catch up and then jump into the conversation back on this current post.

Donny Osmond, come on down, lol. ; ) Although I’m not sure what he’s doing in the Lushary, since he doesn’t drink. ; ) So 7Up for him, and a frozen margarita for me, please.

I guess I am dating myself horribly here. ; ) I could also have gone with David Cassidy or Woody from the Bay City Rollers — I had a poster of him hanging over my bed from a British version of Tiger Beat, sent by a penpal — wearing nothing but a very long, strategically placed tartan scarf. ; ) Pretty racy stuff for a teenaged girl in the 1970s ( & I don’t think my father was particularly thrilled, lol), but the Brits were always ahead of us in that respect.

Nothing much exciting happening in my life at the moment. Work is stressful & dh has been in a “mood” lately so I’ve been trying to stay out of his way. Hoping he will snap out of it in time for our 27th (!) wedding anniversary next week. ; )

Anyway, happy to see the Lushary open again. We were talking about coffee clubs a few posts ago, & there is that aspect of this community… but I always love a session at the Lushary, lol.

Leo, oh Leo. Mr DiCaprio stole my tender 13 year old heart in ‘This Boys Life’ back in 1993. I have adored him ever since, he may not have aged as well as some other stars but to me he will always be my Romeo (two loves in one Leo and the Bard), my Jack, my oh my oh my. Now, good looks is not enough for me, I was always blown away by his skill as an actor and that is something that has not faded at all over the years. The boy can act.

As for me, last week I had my HSG and next Monday we have a meeting with our consultant to hopefully put together a plan of action and finally get out of the ‘nothing-is-happening’ limbo which I have been in since we had our diagnosis at the start of the year. Please let things start moving soon, I want to get this show on the road already.

I am in the (fairly futile) TWW so I will go for a Virgin Mary today please barkeep.

When I was 13, I was loopy for Luke Skywalker – Mark Hamill. I cut out a photo of him with pinking shears and carried it around in my training bra. OMG did I just confess that to the Internet??? I covered pages and pages of my journal with “I love Luke” with different colored felt-tip pens. Pages.

Right now we’re looking at the end of our time in Albania, and a 5-year term in Colombia, but even though I’m really excited about it, my husband is really ambivalent, and I’m having a hard time a) being patient with him as I wonder whether he’s going to yank the rug out from under my feet without warning, and b) understanding WHY he feels this way.

I’m bringing Donnie from NKOTB with me. Be still my heart. I couldn’t have known he’d turn in to a decent actor all those years ago. But his dance moves alone stole my 6th grade heart.

As for life, well, things are going along. Monday will mark the 1st anniversary of my MIL’s freaky accident death. The stress level in my house has been increasing over the last few weeks, though I can’t seem to get hubby to admit it has anything to do with this anniversary. That and the fact that his father/my FIL has moved this awful woman into the house (they shacked up less than 6mon after MIL died). Apparently FIL feels it’s appropriate for the woman to be present at the family get-together/thing we’re having on the anniversary. In short, we could use some positive thoughts, prayers, good mojo, whatever sent our way. Especially on Monday.

Oh yeah, could I have a large Vodka and Cranberry, please? I think I may need 2…

We’re not really trying, but not preventing and 100% not jumping back on the assisted reproduction bandwagon. I go back and forth between wanting another child, and wondering why I would want to do that if I can’t manage to keep life running smoothly with one.
LO is pushing 2 and all the fun that comes with that age – no!, selective hearing, etc. – is only making life more stressful for me as a SAHM. This is not my favorite age so far despite all the equally wonderful things she’s picking up and doing on a daily basis.

We put our house on the market 2 weeks ago and the 2nd couple to view the house has made an offer. Yay!? Unfortunately it’s not what we would like to have gotten & the house we had been thinking we might put an offer on ourselves went under contract a week ago so we have nothing to move to ourselves if we take it. It’s causing us a bit of stress trying to figure out what we do.

Things have been stressful here. We’re still trying to deal with the fact that we will never have another baby…and it’s taking it’s toll on our marriage. We’ve been in counseling since January, and while it’s helped give us better communication skills, it hasn’t helped the hurt that is still in our relationship. Add in that DH has been unemployed for the last 6 months, and finances are getting TIGHT…yea…stressful.

I’d like a vodka tonic with lots of lime. My husband keeps talking and talking about quitting his job and coming home. His internal deadline is Aug 1…we’ll see how that goes. For selfish and unselfish reasons, I’ll be needing him home by Aug 15 when our girl starts kindergarten (?! Kindergarten? How did that happen?!).

So many crushes from which to choose! Ok, I’m going to bring Emilio Estevez to the Lushary. I loved him in The Outsiders and The Breakfast Club, and I think he has more talent than his brother. May I have a martini, please?

As for me, I’m just busy at work, taking care of a sick little boy and hoping that the end of June heralds a calmer next six months because the first six have been incredibly busy.

When I was about 4 years old, I thought The Monkees was a current show. Since I’m only 26, it was obviously in reruns. But I’m still claiming Davy Jones (his spirit now, I guess?) for myself!

I’m trying to adjust to the idea that my baby boy is turning 1 (today, actually) since he’s our only. And after losing my full time job when I had to go on bed rest while I was pregnant with him, I’m finally getting back to full time hours.

It’s crazy hot out today, so may I have a vodka sour with lime, please? 🙂

I’d go with Jack Wagner, so very cute, I used to rush home from school to watch him on General Hospital. And he could sing!
I’m mothering my 16 month old son who has a sinus infection while counting down the hours (only 2 to go) till my 8 week u/s. I fear this pregnancy is doomed: low and slow betas, first u/s fetus was measuring a week behind but did have a heartbeat. This is our last dance with IF and I hope today’s scan gives me some definitive answers. So for now just a sparking water with lime.

Can I bring 2? Andrew McCarthy of St. Elmo’s Fire/Pretty in Pink. He was much too old for me, but I was okay with that. And Prince William. Not sure he counts, but we’re the same age and I was always sure I’d study abroad in London in college and meet him and become a princess…

Virgin piña colada for me, please. I get to go to see if the clomid worked again Friday, but my temperature spiked this morning, so I may as well lay off the alcohol now.

well you sure dont know him but i am bringing aamir khan! I still love him but when i was growing up he was my god. I have not blogged in a long time. Somebody hacked my account and when i got it back i couldnt blog with this bloody phone. A lot is happening. My husband cancelled our adoption because he wanted to ttc. After 6 bfns i was supposed to start my first clomid cycle but dh fell ill with epydimitis (spl?) which not only reduced his fertility but also postponed our clomid cycle by a few months. so now i dont know whats next and i feel like i need to move forward. Opps that was some story!

Shawn Cassidy – “Da Doo Run Run Run, Da Doo Run Run”. That was my very first album. I might even still have it. He and I are drinking a Malibu and Pineapple to celebrate a much needed vacation (stay-cation) coming up next week.

In other news, don’t ask me how I know this, but that awful doll, Baby Alive is on sale over at Amazon. Totally made me think of you and Chickie Nob!

Oh, Ricky Schroder from the TV show Silver Spoons comes to mind. I’ll be having some grapefruit juice and soda water, mixed (I don’t like alcohol), not sure what Ricky will be having. I also liked K.I.T. (Michael Knight’s car from Knight Rider) and was going to marry Michael Knight just so I could have the car. And then when I was around 14 and got the chance to see K.I.T. and talk to him, I was too embarrased.

The only grumbles I have are a parking ticket last week and some of the grumbles/grumps hubby and I have been having. Such is life. Oh, and I’m starting to get a little bit stressed about the upcoming arrival of the baby. I feel I have no clue what I still need and what I shouldn’t worry about. (Hey, I just realized I can ask about this. Here’s my post about it and I hope the lushary peoples can help out! http://rowan6.blogspot.fi/2012/06/8-weeks-until-d-date.html)
Basically, life is pretty good here. I’m still amazed and grateful for being pregnant. We moved, sort of got our new place set up (internet is working, biggie for hubby), had a baby shower, some holiday time from work and now I only have 7 days left at work before maternity leave starts.

Oh Cary Elwes!!! I had SUCH a crush on Westley! Swoon! I even loved him in Robin Hood: Men in Tights and Hot Shots! and The Crush where Alicia Silverstone had a crush on him and/or wanted to kill him. I remember a guy in college dressing as Westley for Halloween and coming to find me to show me and I swear I almost jumped him right there.

I’d love some champagne for a toast. Our boys are home from the NICU, finally, and we’re enjoying life as a family of four. It’s exhausting but absolutely amazing.

I’m on bedrest after a spontaneous bleed at 13w5d that turned out to be due to a partial placenta previa. Really unsettling as this had been a totally smooth, dare I say ‘normal’ pregnancy, after almost 5 years TTC, 5 IVF cycles, 2 losses, and a transition last fall to using donor eggs. Hoping to be released from bedrest at my regularly scheduled appointment tomorrow since I haven’t had any bleeding since Thursday. Bedrest is s boring and lonely.

School is out…Yay! The kids (3 boys, 2 girls) are home and still busy as all get out. E (age16) has been diagnosed with depression which has been both a positive and continued reminder of what she has lost. The girls in general continue to be such a handful. My husband and I are straining under the pressure.

On the positive, we had our first skateboarding contest, all-star baseball, and lots of fun at the pool. We leave for the beach this weekend and I’m looking forward to some warm sand on my toes and a few good books.

Perfect timing, I need a drink (and can’t have one IRL right now) But in here I feel fine saying that I would like a nice glass of red wine, something dry please.
Okay, Patrick Stewart is old enough to be my grandfather, I know, but I love him and have since TNG. (That’s Star Trek “The Next Generation” for you non-trekies out there) He has a beautiful voice.
I thought I had killed myself professionally this morning and now am relieved to find that I will live so I can go back to obsessing about AF starting so I can get this IVF on the road. I took my last pill Sunday and the doctor thought it would start today. But it hasn’t. So I am going to the bathroom every hour to make sure.

John Travolta – the one who was in Grease and Two of a Kind, come on over. I wore out more than one VHS copy of Grease AND Two of a Kind. Swoon.

Anyway. The past month has been all about running. Giving up TTC was a huge blow, and I’ve started running to try and deal with it. It’s hard, emotional, and scary, but I’m on week 4 of the couch to 5k program and somehow making it through.

Val Kilmer, back in his good looking days. Real Genius, in particular. “No one showed up for the mutant hamster races, only one person showed up for the Madame Curie look-alike contest and he was disqualified later… why do I bother?”

Its my first time at this bar, but I’m bringing JTT. The only person I ever bought a teen magazine for!

17 weeks 6 days pregnant today and still scared despite doctors orders to be happy. I feel surrounded by virtual love lately but am really struggling with sharing my news with the big mean outside world, especially those who don’t know about our losses. Let’s bury those concerns in a virgin margarita, if just for a minute.

I had a huge crush on Michael J. Fox too. When I was 12 and visited my aunt and uncle in LA, I begged them to take me to Beverly Hills so I could see him: I figured he’d just be walking around the streets and I could say hi to him.

I’d love a glass of Rose. I just finalized my BlogHer plans, and am super excited about going 🙂

Life is crazy. Trying to make a Big Decision with the health of one of the kids, still do all the summer fun stuff, and ignore the fact that my endo is clearly not under control though no one can do anything about it.

Start me off with a pina colada will you? I’d love to sip that while sunning by the pool at the moment!

Childhood crushes… shoot, where do I start? I have to start when I was about 9 or 10… Christopher Atkins. Oh he made me positively giddy with delight many moons ago! I still smile when I think of those days. I looked to music for the next heartthrob: Corey Hart (who these days communicates frequently with his fans via Facebook) and I had the opportunity to meet him at an appearance in 1982. But, since then, there has been one who has snagged my eye and I vow I shall not stray: bassist John Taylor of Duran Duran. Oh that man is devastatingly incredible! I am such a Duranie that I was once offered $5K for my collection which includes a number of rare items. Of course I didn’t take them up on it! Sheesh! What kind of a fan would I be?! John Taylor still rocks my world and I remain the ultimate D2 fan.

As for what’s up in my world; we’ve just learned a cherished aunt of mine has aggressive cancer. In fact, while typing this comment, I got an e-mail that informed me that she came out of today’s surgery okay but there is still a long way to go. I am heartbroken. We are hoping for the best, but preparing for the worst. It’s extremely difficult. I’ve even let my 365 blog slip because of this news.

We are preparing for another IVF in September/October, but something about doing it is niggling at my brain. Not sure why. I just had loads of bloodwork done and I am waiting for a saline infusion to verify a myometrial uterine cyst. In the meantime, we’re handling Hubby’s crappy schedule well enough and when not working full-time, I’m handling Mommy duty for Petite (who will be 3 this summer). Voilà. Thanks for opening the lushary Mel. I needed it this time around. Hugs sweets, and Happy (Belated) Blogoversary chicka!

Tho I had many many star crushes, he who held the most Tiger Beat cut outs on my wall was Kirk Cameron!! Please serve us each up a nice tall glass of…lemonade (due to Kirk’s religious convictions)…just please toss a splash of gin in mine 😉

George Clooney back when he was Jo’s boyfriend on Facts of Life – loved him and Kirk Cameron from Growing Pains and Johnny Depp in 21 Jump Street – I just heard there is a new 21 Jump Street. Has anyone seen it? Now that I have really dated myself – please can I have a Bloody Mary?

Life is good at the moment. We have a second birthday to celebrate tomorrow and had a fun safari party over the weekend. We are considering an opportunity that would have us moving back to Zambia. There may be some very big changes in the next few months.

I loved Michael J Fox in Family Ties too!!! I’m trying to think who else I had a crush on when I was a teenager, but all that’s coming to my mind is Patrick Stewart and I don’t think he was in any Teen Beat magazines, LOL.

Life is good yet busy here. Trying to eat healthy, exercise, continue performing well at work and go back to school part time for my EMBA in August!!!! Kids are at the grandparents and I miss them terribly. I’m starting to feel like a whole body part is missing.

Ricky Schroeder for me, too. I never really got to the point of cutting anything out of Tiger Beat, but I had friends who did. I really enjoyed going over to their houses.

After waiting so long, my life is about to change all with in a matter of weeks. I start a new job, and we close on a house on July 16. It sort of feels like peeling off a band aid. Maybe it will not be so bad if it is done quickly?

My main squeeze, star crush is by far Andy Garcia. Now, that’s the only man that I’d ever dump my hubby for. When I watched “When a Man Loves A Woman” I fell head over heels for him and never looked back! There’s just something about the tenderness that he portrayed in that movie that tells me that he’s got that in his genetic makeup. You cannot act that way and not feel it.

As for what’s going on with me lately, we’re saving up for IVF and should have all the necessary funds ready by January. (I pray!) So, in the meantime, we’re going at it all naturally. I’m taking a butt load of supplements, meditating, visualizing, exercising and eating super healthy. I’ve also started juicing and I love it. I look good, I feel good and I’m ready to be a mommy again! Now, all that’s left is a little one to fill up our hearts and our home.

Hmm. Well, he was probably never in Tiger Beat, but I’ll have a gin and tonic and bring my friend Alan Rickman whatever he wants. I saw him in Truly, Madly, Deeply when I was 17 and just wanted to spend the rest of my life listening to him *talk.* I think after I get a bit of a buzz going, he’s going to take me out back and read me some Byron.

And I need both the buzz and the Byron because I am (breathes into paper bag) putting my tenure dossier together (breathes into paper bag) and it could go either way (breathes into paper bag) but another article submission before July 10 (breathes, breathes) sure would help.

Tommy Puett, from “Life Goes On”. I had pictures of him in my locker. I’m also dragging along Cary Elwes, of Princess Bride fame. The son of the people who lived across from us looked like him, so when we girls were done watching Princess Bride at my birthday parties (yes, parties, because we watched it several years in a row) we would run outside and sit on the sidewalk, waiting for him to come outside. 🙂

A lemondrop, please, or maybe two. I’ve been messing with my brain meds and thus haven’t slept in about 2 1/2 weeks, even with the aid of sleep meds. A week and a half ago I started on BCP to control the PCOS, which has decided to zoom out of control for the first time in years. My cycles decided they would also like to go all “spring break” and be crazy, so the BCP will help there. Needless to say, I am an angry, hormonal mess.

Cole is scheduled for his surgery in <2 months and I'm more than a little freaked out. It is taking place 4 days before the fall semester starts up, which means he's going to be in daycare within 3 days of getting out of the hospital – and only the day after if we aren't lucky. It's…stressful, and I'd like to just hide, please.

In the second grade I fell in love with Shaun Cassidy. On the advice of some older, more worldly friends I wrote some inappropriate things about Mr. Cassidy in a book from the library. Needless to say I had no idea what I wrote actually meant but I was banned from the library for quite some time. Imagine the naughty thrill that went through my heart in later years when I read the “Hardy Boys” mystery books!

Also, I’ve always wanted to do unholy things to George Michael.

Updates in my neck of the woods…planning my vacation which will coincide with my DE IVF abroad!

David Cassidy. But like Loribeth (we’re obviously the same age) you could swop in Donny Osmond too. Or most of The Beatles (poor Ringo, always left out) – I saw their old movies on TV one summer when I was about 16 and fell in love.

I’m feeling in limbo right nowt. I’m pretty much unemployed at the moment (self-employment slow spot) and looking for contracts and jobs, but only half-heartedly. I really don’t relish the prospect of going back to full-time employment. I don’t seem to have any time though to get to what I really want to do (my writing projects). (I know, I just need to make time). I’m spending a lot of time working out but not losing any weight. I’m worried about my aging mother and her fading memory. And I have a big important birthday towards the end of the year, and I’m trying to plan an overseas trip to celebrate, but can’t decide where to go. Or rather, we can’t afford the place I want to go (reference the unemployment) or the manner in which I want to go, so I’m looking at other options but wavering between being excited and then completely uninspired by any of it. So that’s a ridiculous problem to complain about, I know, and I’m really lucky (wherever I go will be fabulous), so instead I should just have a drink. I’ll have a nice chardonnay please. Make it a good Californian one – we don’t really get Californian wines here, so it would be nice for a change.

River Phoenix. I absolutely loved him. Before him was Jason Bateman – loved him in Silver Spoons!

I’m currently an emotional mess from weaning my 13 month old, and anxiously awaiting AF so I can start TTC #2. I have two donor vials on ice at my REs, and about to order four more to keep in storage at the cryobank – the plan is 2 tries with IUI, 2 with IVF and that doesn’t work I’ll go the DE route with the last two vials.

And with the thought of the stress to come makes me think I need 3 gin and tonics – all for me. River and Jason can fend for themselves!

Where to begin?!? I think my biggest celebrity crush Jared Leto. He was so gorgeous. And still is! I went to a 30 Seconds to Mars show and d@mn he still has it. 😉

The last month was the CRAZIEST rollercoaster of our IF journey. On Father’s Day I got my very first BFP at 11dpo (after 11 cycles of actively trying to conceive). It was a faint positive so we were nervous from the get-go. The next day had my beta, which was 2.4 and were devastated to learn it was a chemical pregnancy. It took a little while to grieve our loss, but on the day of my CD5 baseline U/S there was a freaking empty sac. Turns out I had a blighted ovum, my HCG was down to 0.5 and I’m still currently passing the tissue. Today is CD7 and we are finally excited about taking a break this month, but totally amped for my next cycle.

I’m trying to write a book that covers the impact of infertility- touching on emotional, physical, mental and spiritual health. I think. It is in early stages, but I have a rough outline on my blog and I would love for some discussion around these topics, so if you think you can contribute please click over.

Right now I am emotionally overwhelmed. My SIL just had her second in 18 months, and my traditional surrogate is about to start insems with my husband’s sperm and hoping to get pregnant right away. I’m not feeling excited, I’m feeling INADEQUATE. I’m also TTC myself having FINALLY (8 years later) been diagnosed and on treatment for the past 6 months. We started up TTC last cycle. I’m pretty sure I conceived but didn’t implant. This cycle I am post ov and not feeling pregnant at all (please! No comments about not feeling symptoms so early. I’ve been pregnant nine times and I almost always know right after ovulation, I have no idea why I am that sensitive I just am. I think I’ve only been wrong once). Anyhoo. I just feel like crap and I want to have a good cry for about a week.

Ooo, ooo, Lushary! *lays head tenderly on the counter top, petting the edge* I MISSED YOU!

Now, let’s get down to business. I see it’s mighty crowdy here. Please make some room for my friend Kevin Costner and myself. I had a major crush, my first, on him when I was a junior in high school. I must have seen Robin Hood prince of Thieves erm, let’s say many, many times. And please line up in front of us the following: rhum and coke, mojito, margaritas (all sorts you have) and any other summery cocktail on the rocks you have. He’s paying. 🙂 We have loads to catch up…

So, my life is just going to get loads better. I am 39w2d pregnant with my second son, and if he does not decide to come on his ownby the end of next week, I’ll be induced and he is going to come out. Induction does not scare me, this is how my first son came, on 40w0d btw, nice round number. 🙂

I am both anxious to meet him and sad that the pregnancy is ending. And end is a new beginning, I know, but since I am waiting for something to happen, I can indulge in contemplating the contradictory feelings. Which is a defining feature of parenting, the best and most rewarding experience of my life, and the most difficult and frustrating as well.

Off to catch up with the other patrons. It is SO GOOD to see you all. Mel, looking good, give Michael a second to breathe now. There. 🙂

Indiana Jones, definitely. Or Han Solo. And I know Harrison Ford is old and wrinkly now in real life, but I still would. Not that I’m likely to get the chance to!

Since this is a virtual pub and calories are non existent, I’ll have a nice pint of cider.

I’ve missed public blogging since my old blog, Just Us and the Cat, went private. So I’ve started a new one, looknotubes.blogspot.com. I’m still finding my feet at blogging about parenting post IF, but I’m enjoying being able to write stuff down when the wee one gives me a chance!

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Who is Mel?

Melissa, otherwise known as Mel, The Stirrup Queen, and most recently nicknamed Lollipop Goldstein, has been blogging since 2006. In addition to STIRRUP QUEENS, she also writes the daily Lost and Found (LFCA). She also writes for BlogHer. You can join her on StumbleUpon. She's known to Twitter about her wonky ovaries.